​The Cape Cobras have expressed a vote of confidence in the team that won the Ram Slam T20 Challenge in emphatic fashion last season, by selecting eight members of the squad that powered them to the summit of the log in 2014/2015, for their opening match of the domestic T20-showpiece at PPC Newlands on Sunday against the bizhub Highveld Lions.

​The starting time is 16:00.

A double-header is on the menu on Sunday, as the Warriors and the VKB Knights are set to start off proceedings at PPC Newlands on Sunday at 12:00.

George Linde, who was a revelation as spinner in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, is back in the squad for the opening match, and is one of two high-profile slow bowlers in the Cape Cobras squad. The other is Robin Peterson.

A feature of the 13-man squad is the presence of several superb fast bowlers in Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Mthokozisi Shezi and Tshepo Moreki.

Andrew Puttick has recovered from his mouth infection and will be reunited at the top of the order with Richard Levi.

The Cobras have unleashed Kieron Pollard at number five or six at the completion of the 12th over last season, and is set to use the world-class all-rounder and Ram Slam T20 player of the 2015 year, in the same belligerent role again.

The Cape Cobras will possibly make a more sedate start against the youthful Lions-team, as the ball could move around slightly in the first six overs on a pitch that might have more than its usual share of moisture in the infancy stage of the season.

​LOCAL cricket fans are in for a major treat with the announcement that the hugely popular Catch a Million competition will now offer every South African fan the opportunity to win their share of R1-Million by successfully completing a clean one-handed catch at any televised RAM SLAM T20 Challenge match across the country.

​Fans in the Cape will get the first opportunity to have a go in the Catch a Million competition this weekend when the RAM SLAM gets underway at PPC Newlands with a Double-Header on Sunday and a third match scheduled on the same day at SuperSport Park.

In another major development for the competition, the prize pool for this season’s event has increased by over 200%.

“The RAM SLAM is getting bigger each season and this year we have increased the total prize money pool to R4- million,” commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat.

“With International T20 Stars like Kevin Pietersen, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell lining up alongside our South African stars like David Miller, Quinton de Kock and Farhaan Behardien, I expect another high-class competition this year.

“I’m also excited that the RAM SLAM event will again be watched on the Asian sub-continent through the Sony Six broadcast. Cricket fans in the USA can watch the RAM SLAM on Willow TV while Sky Sports in the UK have agreed to televise the play-off and final match.

“I must thank our sponsor, RAM Hand-to-Hand Couriers, and the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) for their extra financial contributions to grow the RAM SLAM and also our broadcast partners in helping us to reach global audiences,” added Lorgat.

The winning team will bag the R2,7-m first prize while the runners-up will take home R1,3-m.

Joint MD of RAM, David Lazarus also had reason to be excited. “Cricket has been good to us and we’re delighted to play our part in a fantastic T20 competition that has become one of the most recognizable T20 tournaments in the world,” commented Lazarus.

“We’ve added more off the field thrills for the fans and we hope that together with the popular Catch A Million Competition the fans will once again enjoy the matches in stadia. Opening up the Catch A Million to all ages in a responsible manner is another way in which we want to encourage every fan to get into the spirit of the RAM SLAM competition,” explained Lazarus.

The RAM SLAM will be played between 01 November 2015 and 12 December 2015.

This season’s competition will also feature three Double-Header weekends starting with the opening double-header at PPC Newlands on 01 November 2015. The second double-header will be played at SuperSport Park on 15 November 2015, and the third double-header is scheduled for St George’s Park on 28 November 2015.

Terms and conditions for the Catch a Million competition can be found on www.cricket.co.za

There will also be a fan launch of the RAM SLAM T20 Challenge at the V & A Waterfront Amphitheatre in Cape Town on Saturday, 31 October 2015, from 11h00. Fans are encouraged to attend as there will be a signing session and fantastic giveaways.

A YOUTHFUL bizhub Highveld Lions squad will come up against an experienced and imposing Cape Cobras side when the two teams clash in the second game of a RAM SLAM T20 Challenge double-header at PPC Newlands on Sunday.

While the Cobras will have their usual stalwarts plus the powerful all-rounder, Kieron Pollard, in their ranks, the Lions have opted to give opportunities to younger players and build the franchise for the future.

Among their 14 squad members are Bjorn Fortuin and Shaylen Pillay, who are both just 21 years old, as well as Devon Conway, Matt McGillivray, Andre Malan and Nicky van den Bergh, who are all between 24 and 26 and have minimal franchise experience.

“We sat down with the selectors, and we’re basically trying to plot the way forward for Lions cricket,” said coach, Geoff Toyana. “We felt that it’s quite important because we do have a bunch of talented young cricketers. A guy like Conway did well last year - he was player of the year in the semi-professional competition - and yet he can’t seem to get an opportunity.

“So we are trying to go with a young side and we’re very comfortable with that. Hopefully the young pups will gain that valuable experience for the future.”

Guiding the youngsters along will be veteran batsman Alviro Petersen, current Proteas Aaron Phangiso and Eddie Leie, senior fast bowlers Hardus Viljoen and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, and the experienced Thami Tsolekile, who will captain the side.

Left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks remains sidelined for the Cobras, but otherwise the hosts will boast a full complement of players after Andrew Puttick overcame a recurrence of a mouth infection and Rory Kleinveldt was given time to get over a mild calf strain.

Despite their embarrassment of riches in terms of player resources, the defending champions have signed last year’s RAM SLAM T20 Player of the Year, Pollard, for another two seasons, with the West Indian landing in Cape Town on Thursday.

“He did fantastically well for us so we’re hoping for more of the same, but we know it’s going to be a team effort,” said Justin Ontong. “Obviously he’s a world-class player, and it’s not only on the field that he brings a lot of experience - he also helps the boys off the field. He’s a very good professional and a great man to have in your squad.”

​“Seize the day and get momentum when you have a small window of opportunity. And don’t give world-class opposition a sniff,” is Omphile Ramela’s advice to his Cape Cobras colleagues ahead of their opening clash of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge at PPC Newlands on Sunday.

The Cape Cobras and the bizhub Highveld Lions will meet on Sunday at 16:00. The Warriors and the VKB Knights will kick-off the double-header at PPC Newlands at 12:00 on Sunday.

The Cape Cobras are the defending champions in the domestic T20-showpiece. Asked if they can retain the trophy, Ramela said: “We are always up there with the top-runners. The T20-competition will be very competitive.”

Ramela was a match-winner with the bat in the final last season, smashing 54 off 34 balls. The self-assured number-three batsman says he is a better practitioner of the T20-game now than 12 months ago.“It is about confidence, and I feel I have got that by performing at South Africa A-level,” he adds.

Ramela hammered three centuries in five innings earlier in 2015. It included a double-ton for the Cape Cobras against The Unlimited Titans, and a hundred on debut for South Africa A.

Part of his preparations includes visualizing power hitting at different stages of the game and then practising it on the training ground.​The Ram Slam T20 Challenge will feature world-class players like Kieron Pollard of the Cape Cobras, Robin Peterson of the Cape Cobras, Richard Levi of the Cobras, Quinton de Kock and Albie Morkel (both Titans), Kevin Pietersen of the Sunfoil Dolphins and Andre Russell of the VKB Knights.

​The number three wicket at PPC Newlands is a famous one if you carry a West Indies-flag, especially if you witnessed the category-five storm called Chris Gayle smash 77 off 31 balls in January 2015 to propel the visitors to a four-wicket win in a T20-International against South Africa.

Can the Cape Cobras opener Richard Levi emulate Gayle on the same pitch on Sunday in their opening match of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge at PPC Newlands?

Evan Flint, the curator, says 150 would be a par-score at the ground on 1st November, as there is still some moisture in the spring. The North West wind might also provide some helpful conditions for swing bowlers.Levi said assessing conditions accurately and being aware of one’s scoring areas are important indicators early on. But that does not mean that the openers should allow bowlers to settle. He is of the opinion you have to unnerve them if the specific delivery allows it.

The belligerent opener hammered 392 runs in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge last season.And he is one player able of reproducing the whirlwind innings of Gayle, who struck five fours and eight sixes in his match-winning performance last season. In 2012, he smashed 117 off 51 balls against New Zealand, an innings that included 13 sixes.

Levi was particularly severe on Marchant de Lange and Albie Morkel at PPC Newlands in the opening Momentum One Day Cup match at the ground when he hit three sixes off the opening bowlers, including two straight maximums when the deliveries were just slightly overpitched.

“Such is the power of our middle order, that players like Kieron Pollard can afford to use six deliveries to settle as they can easily make up the numbers later on,” Levi said.

Flint said that fast bowlers who use conditions well, will be able to get something out of the number-three wicket, due to the fact that temperatures might drop towards the latter part of the week.

Levi says the number-3, 4 and 5-pitches at PPC Newlands are usually full of runs and he is positive about using the opportunity.

Tickets for the RAM Slam T20 double header on Sun, 1 November at 12pm are now on sale from R30.​Tickets can be purchased through the following channels:

​Rory Kleinveldt will be an important cog in the wheel for the Cape Cobras this season and the management team will carefully manage his calf strain before the first match of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge against the bizhub Highveld Lions at PPC Newlands on Sunday (starting time: 16h00 – gates open at 10:30), said Justin Ontong, the captain.

Kleinveldt was sensational in his first Momentum One Day Domestic Cup game for the Cape Cobras. He smashed an unbeaten 36 off 23 balls, with three sixes. His late flourish powered the visitors to 235 for eight at Sahara Kingsmead on Friday.

The 32-year old fast bowler captured two for 22 in eight overs. He removed the Sunfoil Dolphins’ best batsman, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, for two and later accounted for Daryn Smit when the middle-order batsman looked entrenched at the crease and in the midst of a stubborn stand with Robbie Frylinck for the fifth wicket.He was a deserved recipient of the man of the match accolade as the Cobras romped to an impressive 64-run win on Friday.

Ontong said Kleinveldt has the ability to swing the ball, but he is at his most dangerous when he bowls a heavy ball and nips it around off the seam.

As a batsman, he has clearly learned from his stint with Northamptonshire and stayed calm in the moment critique, transferring the pressure to the bowling attack with a late onslaught.

Kleinveldt moved back in his crease and then deposited two attempted Yorkers with disdain over the midwicket-boundary. Earlier, he also effortlessly clipped a delivery over the deep square-leg boundary for a maximum.Ontong says the Cape Cobras won’t risk the left-arm swing bowler Beuran Hendricks, who is still on the mend from a lower back muscle injury.

Hendricks nipped out 28 batsmen in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge in the 2013/2014-campaign and can be a key bowler for the Cape Cobras in the 2015/2016-series.

The Cape Cobras skipper said he is still disappointed about the top- and middle-order batting, and said taking responsibility to assemble big scores and ensuring that a major stand is not followed by a mini-collapse, are the areas that need to be rectified in a hurry.​“Losing both partners in quick succession after a major partnership has been a problem, and it has constantly cost us 30 runs per match in the Momentum One Day Cup competition. We have spoken about addressing that,” he said.

​Rory Kleinveldt has recovered from his calf injury and Andrew Puttick is on the mend after his mouth infection flared up again, while the all-rounder Kieron Pollard will arrive at PPC Newlands on Thursday for the opening match of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge on Sunday against the bizhub Highveld Lions.

​The match at PPC Newlands on Sunday, will commence at 16:00. The Cape Cobras are the defending champions in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge. They won the domestic T20-title in emphatic fashion in December 2014, defeating the Knights by 33 runs.

Paul Adams, the Cape Cobras coach, has called for an improvement in the top-order batting, despite the fact that the Cape champions finished the first round of the Momentum One Day Cup competition at the summit of the log with 14 points.

Adams said a lack of substantial scores, especially centuries, by members of the top-order was one areas of concern in the first round of the Momentum One Day Cup campaign. Rescue acts by lower middle-order batsmen constantly powered the Cape Cobras to competitive scores and they were able to secure two bonus-point wins.

Puttick missed a few crucial games due to a mouth infection. His reunion with the hard-hitting Richard Levi could aid the Cape Cobras in their quest for a substantial opening partnership and a solid base in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge.Pollard is a streetwise all-rounder, and somebody capable of propelling the Cape Cobras to scores close to 200 if provided with an excellent foundation. He was the premier player in the domestic T20-showpiece last season, capturing 14 wickets and averaging 81 with the blade.

Kleinveldt, Wayne Parnell, Pollard, Tshepo Moreki and Robin Peterson could be a match-winning bowling attack, even if they are to protect a below-par score.​Dane Paterson and Kleinveldt will be given a breather when the Cape Cobras play practice matches on Tuesday.Puttick will consult a specialist on Tuesday in a precautionary measure to ensure he is ready for the T20-action on Sunday.

SISANDA MAGALA’S five-wicket haul proved the difference as the Warriors beat the Cape Cobras by five wickets in a tight Momentum One-Day Cup encounter at PPC Newlands to go into the midway break in the competition level on top of the log with their opponents with 14 points.

Magala’s 5 for 40 included two key scalps and then a further interjection of three wickets in four balls, which ensured that the Cobras were limited to 250 for nine after they were asked to bat by the Warriors.

In contrast, the Cobras were unable to take wickets at the death in a tense run chase, allowing Christiaan Jonker (44 not out) and Colin Ackermann (35 not out) to put on an unbroken 79-run stand and carry the Warriors to victory with seven balls to spare.

The Cobras total was only marginally short of par, and would have been bigger had Magala not snapped a 72-run stand for the fourth wicket when he bowled Lesiba Ngoepe (37) and then got rid of top scorer Justin Ontong (77).

And while the Cobras scored at more over 10 runs per over in the final eight of their innings, it would have been uglier if the 24-year-old had not dismissed Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson and Robin Peterson in quick succession to record the best figures for a Warriors bowler against the Cobras.

The Warriors chase was once again led by Colin Ingram, whose 70 gave him the second highest run tally in the competition with 298 from just four matches.With Jon-Jon Smuts (39) having given the visitors a solid start and the middle order all chipping in, the Warriors always kept the asking rate in check.​Although Ingram’s dismissal opened the door for the Cobras, with Somila Seyibokwe (23) falling soon after to leave the Warriors with 77 to get from 63 balls, Jonker and Ackermann made it look easy in the end.

​A double dose of RAM SLAM T20 fun, watching the defending Ram Slam T20 Challenge champions, the Cape Cobras, last season’s beaten finalist, the VKB Knights, the Warriors and the bizhub Highveld Lions at PPC Newlands for only R60 could be one of the cricket-bargains of 2015.

The Warriors and the VKB Knights will feature in the opening match of the 2015/2016-season. The starting time is 12:00.

The Cape Cobras, the defending Ram Slam T20 Challenge champions, will start of their quest for a third consecutive place in the final of the domestic T20-showpiece as they go toe to toe against the bizhub Highveld Lions on Sunday 1st November at their old stomping ground, PPC Newlands. The starting time is 15:30.

“We suggest fanGs and spectators secure their tickets (R60 per head) immediately as the full house sign might go up soon,” said Nabeal Diean, Cape Cobras chief executive officer.

“If the impressive rate at which ticket sales have taken place for tests, One Day Internationals, Momentum One Day Cup matches and Ram Slam T20 Challenge clashes at PPC Newlands are anything to go by, there will be great attendance figures for this double-header,” he added. “Expect a real Boom!

“We would like to encourage the fans to take up this great offer of R60, as some of the greatest T20-exponents in international cricket, including Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Richard Levi, Justin Ontong, Robin Peterson and Rilee Rossouw will show their mettle in this season’s T20-opener,” added Dien.

“Spectators who are able to pull off a one-handed catch off a full-blown drive or pull in the stands, can qualify for a prize of R1 million,” which will add to the lure and excitement of one of the most popular tournaments domestically.”

​The Cape Cobras have pulled off a major coup by signing one of the world’s most-travelled T20-stars and South Africa’s Ram Slam T20 player of the year, Kieron Pollard, for another two seasons.

The West Indies all-rounder was a star attraction at PPC Newlands last season. He powered the Cape Cobras to the Ram Slam T20 Challenge crown. The Trinidadian captured 14 wickets and struck 243 runs at an average of 81 in the 2014/2015-competition.

“Kieron played a match-winning role for the Cobras at least three times last season. He can change the complexion of the match with a belligerent knock, or deny the opposition in the death overs with his subtle change of pace and match awareness,” said Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the Cape Cobras.

“We consider it a major boost to have somebody of Kieron’s undoubted quality and vast experience in the line-up,” said Beresford Williams, president of the Western Province Cricket Association.

“He is one of the world’s finest all-rounders in this format, and has an inspirational impact on the dressing room.”The explosive middle-order batsman was the catalyst in propelling the Cobras to 158 for six in the 2014/2015-final by blasting 43 runs off 23 balls as the last 7.1 overs produced 86 runs at PPC Newlands against the Knights.

Pollard might miss two domestic T20-matches due to his participation in the T20-series against Sri Lanka.In 293 T20-matches globally, he has been a key factor for several franchises. Pollard was part of the Mumbai Indians squad that won the Indian Premier League in 2015. The Barbados Tridents reached the finals of the Caribbean Premier League this year with the big all-rounder at the helm.​The Cobras kick-off their T20-campaign against the bizhub Highveld Lions on 1st November at PPC Newlands.